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The sound of the drizzle against the window panes was the second sound Ryan registered when she came to consciousness. The light patter, steady and constant, punctured irregularly with heavier drops of the leaking gutter that she really should see about getting fixed before it turned into a real problem. But that was something for future Ryan to deal with.
Because right then, in the present, the first sound she’d woken up to was breathing. Slow and calm, giving a light brush over the curve of her shoulder. And god, Ryan had never thought she’d wake to Sophie Moore’s breathing being the first thing she heard.
Had she imagined? Sure. Fantasized, if one wanted to call it that. Not that she would ever use that word to describe it. Even if it was the most accurate word. But a fantasy is different from thoughts.
A fantasy could be a nothing. A fleeting consideration. What she wanted in a fantasy didn’t have to be real. The second she thought something, it would have more weight than just fantasy, that’s when she would start wanting for real. And that had been the scariest thought of all.
Had been. Past tense. Because she didn’t have to fantasize anymore. She didn’t even have to think.
She could remember.
Remember the shape of Sophie’s smile. The shape of her lips against her own. Against her neck. Her skin. The feeling of Sophie against her.
She could remember her taste. The spice of the whiskey that had lingered through those first minutes.
“Hold on,”
Sophie stopped when her hand joined with Ryan’s jerked back. Ryan was walking back to the bar.
“I thought we were going upstairs?”
“I poured us the expensive shit. I’m not letting this sit out all night.” Ryan picked up her glass, knocking back the finger of whiskey in one go. She picked Sophie’s glass, “Do you want yours, or do I get two fingers tonight?”
Sophie’s eyes darken and her smile grew. “Keep talking like that you’ll get more than that.” She took the glass from Ryan, drinking it slower than Ryan, but still finishing in one. She pulled Ryan to her, tilting her head down to kiss her as she placed the glass on the counter.
“Stairs,” Ryan insisted in the space in between kisses, and she pushed, “That way.”
It was a wonder how they didn’t trip on their way up the stairs.
Ryan wanted to memorize the sound of Sophie’s laugh and the way her eyes shone when she did. And the way gravel slipped into her voice in the aftermath of her orgasm. And the sound of her own name falling from Sophie’s lips. She’d actively be committing that to her memory.
“Ryan.” Breathy and short, cut off, like the sounds were fighting with the air in her lung.
“Ryan.” Ragged and heavy with the weight of so much want.
“Ryan.” Firm, confident and steady with all the power Ryan could feel in the muscles pinning her down.
That last one was her favorite.
“Ryan. Anyone ever tell you think too loud?” But dear god, her name, sleep coated, slightly sluggish and deep, coming from a just woken Sophie, might just have come in a close second.
Ryan didn’t need to remember the warmth of falling asleep in Sophie’s arms. Not when those same arms tightened around her waist, pulling her closer.
“My mama did. Used to say she could hear my mind ticking from across the room.”
“Want to share what’s ticking away right now?”
Ryan felt the tip of Sophie’s nose follow the line of her shoulder blade to the base of her neck. She glanced back, smirking.
“I’ll give you one guess.”
“Mmh, what you’re going to cook the sexy ass woman in your bed for breakfast?” Sophie’s eyes were still unfocused with sleep. But there was so much happiness in them.
“Something like that.” Ryan rolled over in Sophie’s arms and brought their lips together in a kiss that was anything but chaste. Sophie’s hands at her hips tightened, following the curve of her waist to the small of her back. A small sound crept up the back of Ryan’s throat. Soft and content. And full of desire. Hearing it pulled a smile from Sophie. She pulled back, warm brown eyes blinking at Ryan, more focused now.
She brushed Ryan’s hair back, her hand settling on Ryan’s jaw, her thumb drawing circles against her skin.
“Hi,” Ryan whispered in the space between them.
“Good morning.” Sophie brushed their noses together and gave a light nip to Ryan’s bottom lip.
There was so much happening in Sophie’s eyes. The soft joy they radiated, making Ryan’s chest filled with this content warmth. The quiet intensity in their depths. And just a hint of lust that burned a whole other kind of heat in Ryan. She was quickly coming to realize that if there was one single part of Sophie that was going to be the end of her, it would be Sophie’s eyes.
Sophie’s eyes were basically pinning her down. She didn’t dare move with their burning intensity locked onto her. The cocky smirk on her lips didn’t help either. Those alone would be enough to set her on fire. But coupled with the sight of Sophie Moore between her legs, Ryan didn’t know how her heart hadn’t exploded yet.
“Eyes on me.”
Like she could do anything else.
“Ryan.” And there was her name again. Said like each syllable was crafted to be her undoing. It might very well be, with the way she forgot what air was, or how she was meant to use it. She made a strangled gasp that did nothing to help the lightheadedness.
Sophie reached up to where Ryan had clutched the sheets in a vice grip. Gently Sophie worked to pry it open, slipping her fingers in between Ryan’s, “You good?”
And Sophie’s gaze hadn’t lost any of its intensity, but in that moment there was so much care aimed at her, Ryan could drown in it. She swallowed, and nodded, not sure she’d be able to get words out.
“Breathe,” A gentle command, so tender as Sophie said it.
And Ryan did.
Sophie’s smile returned, softer than before, still with that edge of snark to it. Her eyes, and god, her eyes as she said, “I can’t have you tapping out so soon on me.”
And that was the last Ryan saw Sophie’s eyes for a while as she dipped her head down. It was the last time Ryan saw anything but stars actually.
“Do you have any requests for breakfast?”
Ryan started to sit up, but Sophie wrapped an arm around her waist, dragging her back.
“No. Not yet.”
“Aren’t you hungry?” Ryan asked, laughing.
Sophie met her eyes and Ryan felt like she was pinned down all over again.
“Not for food.”
“Woman, you’re insatiable.”
“Are you complaining?” But she didn’t give her chance to answer before stealing another kiss. “Let me hold you.”
Sophie’s chest heaved and she licked her lips as she looked up at Ryan. “C’mere.” Her voice absolutely spent and so, so sexy. Ryan sunk into Sophie’s arms, kissing her jaw and neck. Sophie chuckled, although it was more breathy than usual as she caught her breath.
“Woman, are you going to give me chance to recover?” She asked.
Ryan gave a wicked smirk, “I need to even the scorecard.”
Sophie’s eyes twinkled mischievously but her expression soften, “In a minute. Can I just hold you?” She asked softly.
Ryan’s breath caught and she nodded, letting Sophie pull her closer.
Ryan resigned to her fate in Sophie’s arms. It wasn’t a difficult surrender. Their legs tangled under the sheets. Sophie traced her fingers over Ryan’s skin, the touch feather-light. The warmth of it, the comfort of it, Ryan didn’t have a thing to complain about.
Well, there was a prickle of pain for a hair’s length of time as the pads of Sophie’s fingers trailed their way across Ryan’s forearm. Not enough to be any kind of discomfort, but enough for Ryan to notice.
She stretched out her arm in front of her and in the light of day she could see the faint lines that ran in almost perfect parallel on her arm. From the slight sting she felt when she arched her back, she guessed she had a matching set of lines there.
“You need to cut your nails or I’m going to end up looking like I’ve fought Catwoman.”
Sophie gave her a deadpan look, “This is a $30 manicure, woman. And the rate you were moving, I was sure I had another week to enjoy it.”
Ryan burst into laughter at that, the sound doubling when Sophie playfully sunk her nails into the soft flesh at Ryan’s thighs.
“Oh, I’ll be more considerate of your manicure schedule in the future,” Ryan arched a brow, “A week, huh?”
"If I was going to put money down, I would have gone with the polish fading first, before you opening up to me."
That sobered Ryan. She glanced away, "I'm sorry you had to feel like I didn’t want you,"
"Shh," Sophie quieted her with a finger to her lips, "Trust me, I wouldn't have minded losing that bet." When Ryan still looked at her with guilt in her eyes she continued, "I get where your head was at. My problem wasn't with waiting. It's when you tried to bench me that I felt I had to say something. "
Ryan pressed her lips to Sophie’s fingers and then shifted her head so she could do the same to her palm.
“You scared the shit out of me when you said you were at Wayne, you know.”
“Yeah? Well, now you know how it feels. You give me a heart attack every time I’m running comms.” Sophie retorted, but there was no bite to her voice. Only a tender concern.
A bit of the teasing light returned to Ryan’s eyes, “Your poor heart. Should I check that it’s okay?” She littered kisses across Sophie’s chest before tucking her head against it. Sophie’s arms looped around her shoulders, holding her close. Her chin rested on Ryan’s head. Ryan felt more than heard the soft exhale from Sophie.
“It still sounds strong to me.”
“Mmh,” Sophie hummed softly, “I never want to leave this bed.”
“We’ll have to eventually.”
“Shh, don’t ruin it.”
Ryan chuckled, closing her eyes as she listened to the sound of Sophie’s heartbeat. The steady rhythm and the gentle rise and fall of her chest almost lulled Ryan back to sleep.
“Should we be concerned that Mary didn’t come home last night? Or that Alice hasn’t popped up for at least 6 consecutive hours?”
“Now who’s trying to ruin it?” Ryan’s smile grew.
“I’m just saying.”
“Mary said she had things she needed to do. As for Alice as long she’s not on the news, I don’t care where she is.”
“That’s a bit of stance change for you.”
“I’m trying not to think about that. But she cares for Mary and she hasn’t tried to hurt anyone without reason since the whole work release started.”
“So you’d be okay if she just dropped off the map?”
“I don’t know about okay. But I could learn to live with it.”
Sophie’s fingers combed through Ryan’s hair and she pressed a kiss to the top of her head. She traced the line of Ryan’s spine with two fingers and a tension Ryan didn’t even realize had crept up slowly slipped away.
She looked up at Sophie, who gave a soft smile in return. “Hey, no judgment from me when it comes to Alice. Whatever you want to do.”
“Soph?”
“Hmm?”
“Stop talking about Alice while I’m naked in your arms.”
Sophie laughed, “I can do that.”
Ryan leaned up to kiss her because she could do that now. They stayed like that, in a slow make-out, because, for once there was no rush. They were going to savor every moment of this reprieve they’d been blessed with. The rains outside came down harder, but they were warm and light.
“Okay,” Ryan eventually said, “I need some food.”
Sophie chased her lips as she got up, but she didn’t try to stop her this time. Ryan pulled on some underwear that was probably too lacy for 8 in the morning, and a loose t-shirt. As she gathered her hair in a loose bun at the top of her head she could see Sophie shamelessly checking her out in the mirror. Her heart thrilled and she threw a wink at Sophie.
She really had to thank god for Mary’s ridiculously expensive coffee machine. She got it started and while it did its thing she pulled out what she needed for breakfast. Tofu (extra firm), eggs, some milk of the almond variety, the various seasonings and spices she needed.
Setting two pans on the stove, she threw the tofu in one pan and cracked a couple of eggs into the other. When the scent of coffee started to make its way through the loft was around the same time Ryan heard footsteps behind her. The radio turned on and a line and half later (enough for Ryan to recognize the middle bars of Sun Goes Down) arms slipped around her waist.
“You’re cooking eggs?” Sophie asked, the surprise evident in her voice. She tucked her face against Ryan’s neck, trailing kisses across her skin.
Ryan tilted her head back to rest on Sophie’s shoulder. “I need to make sure my girl gets her protein after last night’s workout.”
Ryan felt Sophie smile against her skin, and the soft rush of air from her laugh made a shiver run up her spine. Sophie gave a playful nip to the edge of her ear, making Ryan’s laughter join hers. Sophie’s hand traveled up to Ryan’s throat, taking it in a loose hold. She angled Ryan’s head back so she could kiss her lips.
Ryan sunk into it. The soft warmth of Sophie’s lips. The light tickle of her hair against her cheek. Sophie’s hand at her hip started to travel up and Ryan had to pull away with a small moan.
“Nuh-uh, not while I’m cooking.”
“It's eggs and tofu scramble, you literally can’t screw those up.”
Ryan batted her wandering hands away, “Do you want to start a kitchen fire? Because that’s how kitchen fires start.”
Laughing, Sophie danced away from Ryan’s blows, drifting towards the coffee machine. Sophie had put on one of Mary’s robes, a silk flora affair that in no way did anything to hide her legs. Not that Ryan was complaining as she watched her navigate the kitchen.
Sophie opened a few of the cupboards, pulling out the sugar. “Where’s that milk powder you use for coffee?”
“Coconut milk powder, the jar two over from your right hand.”
“Ah, got it.” She opened the fridge, and maybe Ryan stared as she bent over, “Where does Mary keep the real milk?”
Ryan snorted, “The glass bottle, blue cap.”
Sophie mixed the coconut milk into the first mug of coffee she made and added what some might consider far too much sugar. She handed the mug to Ryan, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek as she did.
She laughed as Sophie scrunched her nose against her face, “Thank you.”
By the time Sophie had fixed her own coffee Ryan was plating their breakfast. There was a shameless game of footsie happening under the table as they ate, with shared smiles and laughs filling the conversation.
“How long do you think we’re going to get away with pretending like the world outside these doors isn’t a powder keg waiting to explode on us?” Ryan asked as she finished eating, leaning back with her coffee in hand.
Sophie reached out, cupping Ryan’s cheek, “I plan to soak up as much as of this as I can for as long as we can.”
A part of Ryan still couldn’t that this was it. That they could do this. Touch like this. Look at each other like this. That they could be this. This happy and free and in the moment.
Somewhere in the room, a phone vibrated and they both groaned. Sharing a quick, remorseful smile, Sophie got up. “I think it was mine.” She said, walking to her jacket on the floor and fishing out her phone.
“Tell Luke if it’s a b-tier villain or lower he’s handling it by himself,” Ryan called.
Sophie laughed as she checked the message. “We’re safe. It’s Jordan. She wants to push sister brunch a day. No emergencies yet.” She said as she started to type a reply. “Hey, do you want to join us?”
“I don’t want to get in the way of sister time.”
“Are you kidding, Jordan will be thrilled to see you. She’s been trying to get us together since meeting you for the first time.”
“No shit?”
“Want to help me tease her?”
“Always. What do you need from me?”
“Just keep being your cute self,” She walked back to her. She leaned down so her face was next to Ryan’s wrapping an arm around her shoulders as she stretched her other arm out to take a selfie. Ryan tilted her head to press a kiss on Sophie’s cheek as she did.
Sophie sent the image to Jordan along with the message, ‘Sure, we can move brunch, if it’s cool that Ryan joins.’
Jordan’s reply came in. ‘Of course.’ And then several more in quick succession.
‘Wait, the photo just loaded.’
‘Sophie, what is this?’
‘WHAT HAPPENED WITH YOU AND RYAN?’
‘SOPHIE YOU ANSWER ME!’
‘I can see you reading these.’
‘Details. I NEED DETAILS.’
Sophie chuckled, putting her phone down.
“Aren’t you going to answer her?” Ryan asked. She'd been reading the messages as they came in.
“Nah, let her sweat a few hours. I have more important things to do right now.”
“Oh, do tell.”
Sophie leaned down, kissing Ryan. She hooked a finger under her chin, pulling her out of her chair. Once she was on her feet, Sophie lifted her up. Ryan gave a soft gasp that turned into laughter.
“Let me show you.”